About this Collection

Christian Boehmer Anfinsen, Jr. (1916-1995), was an American biochemist who shared the 1972 Nobel Prize for work that helped explain the structure and composition of proteins in living cells. The National Library of Medicine is the repository for the Christian B. Anfinsen Papers, which range from 1939 to 1999. The collection contains laboratory notebooks, research reports, published articles and books, correspondence, unpublished manuscripts, speeches, news clippings, photographs, and physical objects.

As part of its Profiles in Science project, the National Library of Medicine has made available online a digitized selection of the Christian B. Anfinsen Papers. This website provides access to the portions of the Christian B. Anfinsen Papers that are now publicly available. Individuals interested in conducting research using the full collection of Christian B. Anfinsen Papers should contact the National Library of Medicine.

This Profile is designed to introduce you to the various phases of Anfinsen's scientific career and professional life. Narrative sections available from the navigation bar under "The Story" focus on Anfinsen's life and major scientific contributions.

Researchers can search the digitized items using the Search box or browse all Documents and Visuals in the collection by selecting "Collection Items" from the navigation bar.

Christian B. Anfinsen with "coat hanger" structure demonstrating protein folding
Christian B. Anfinsen with "coat hanger" structure demonstrating protein folding
Christian B. Anfinsen's Nobel Prize diploma (page 1)
Christian B. Anfinsen's Nobel Prize diploma (page 1)
The Molecular Basis of Evolution
The Molecular Basis of Evolution